Over time, or typically by nature, in any other case helpful apps change into overloaded with a lot nonsense that they change into far much less interesting. These bloated Home windows apps go away me craving for less complicated choices which have fewer, however well-executed, options.
By “bloated apps”, I imply applications which have change into overloaded with options and misplaced their core focus. That is distinct from eradicating Home windows bloatware, which refers to pre-installed junk.
4
Microsoft 365/Workplace
Have you ever ever stopped to note how a lot is packed into Workplace apps like Phrase and Excel? Whereas these applications are cornerstones of many workplace and residential environments, you’re unlikely to have used even half of their options.
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Many individuals don’t even use core options like types, part breaks, and content material controls. Then you need to contemplate all of the ribbons, buttons, settings menus, and different methods Phrase and Excel use to bury their many instruments. And that is not even moving into all of the AI shoved in now. It’s no marvel most individuals don’t know half of the best Workplace options.
Like with different longtime Home windows apps, a few of these are legacy options that sure folks want and would complain about if eliminated. And whereas not all these options are ineffective, the sheer variety of them and the problem in navigating round earn the Workplace apps a “bloated” medal.
As an alternative, Google Docs or Microsoft 365 for the net (previously Workplace On-line) are nice decisions to keep away from this overload. Each are free and lower out the muddle, making it simpler to seek out the widespread capabilities you need.
3
Safety suites
Safety instruments like AVG, Avast, and Norton used to supply core antivirus safety and little else. However after Home windows lastly included its personal antivirus with Microsoft Defender, third-party suites began loading up on extra options to make their merchandise seem extra precious.
This has resulted in multi-tiered subscriptions, the place providers that after targeted on malware safety now attempt to be your all-in-one suite for something associated to safety.
For instance, Avast has two paid tiers, with the dearer one together with a VPN, PC cleanup software, and on-line identification hider. In the meantime, Norton’s prime plan packs in rip-off safety, cloud backup, a password supervisor, a VPN, parental controls, identification theft safety, and much more.
Screenshot by Ben Stegner; no attribution required
That’s an unlimited quantity of performance to have in a single app. All these instruments use your laptop’s assets and require common updates, plus some require additional installs (like browser extensions).
In idea, there’s one thing to be stated for paying one payment to get all these instruments. However that’s provided that you want all of them and you want the corporate’s choices. Components of this performance duplicate what Home windows or your browser already do, and it can save you cash by shopping for particular person subscriptions for under the instruments you want.
For much less bloat, I’d suggest utilizing Microsoft Defender for core safety, then grabbing a trusted, low-cost VPN. For passwords, Bitwarden is a superb password supervisor, with the free plan being adequate for many.
2
ShareX
By calling ShareX bloated, I’m not saying it’s a foul app. Actually, it’s arguably one of the best free screenshot software for Home windows. Nonetheless, its excessive ranges of customization and energy might be off-putting to newcomers or anybody who desires a extra easy screenshot app.
ShareX contains a wide range of seize choices, plus a sturdy editor to switch screenshots after you’ve grabbed them. That is all anticipated and nice, however the app packs in tons of choices that rapidly change into overwhelming for most individuals.
Screenshot by Ben Stegner; no attribution required
The auto-upload characteristic is nice, however there are such a lot of potential sources. I’ve by no means heard of Chevereto or vgy.me for internet hosting pictures, together with a number of of the pastebin websites. Does anybody use Pomf, Seafile, or LobFile for internet hosting? I’ve by no means come throughout these in all my time writing about tech.
There’s additionally a Instruments menu in ShareX with far more choices than a screenshot program wants. I perceive a screenshot editor having a shade picker, however does it want a metadata editor, “picture beautifier”, window inspector (which shares technical data about an app window), and monitor check (which turns all of your screens white)?
I’m certain somebody makes use of these little-known sharing providers, and it’s nice that ShareX packs a lot right into a 100% free app. However if you’d like fewer, extra targeted options, contemplate PicPick—it additionally has lots of performance, nevertheless it’s not as overwhelming. You might even favor the built-in Snipping Device, which is all the time out there with Win + Shift + S and allows you to make fundamental edits.
1
PC Supervisor
Microsoft launched PC Supervisor in 2024 as a manner to assist optimize your system. And whereas it’s significantly better to make use of this software than third-party cleanup apps that may harm your system, this app continues to be bloated past its meant use and doesn’t provide a lot that’s distinctive.
PC Supervisor features a few tabs. On House, PC increase allows you to unencumber RAM, which could present a short lived increase on weak methods however isn’t a long-term answer.
picture credit score – self captured (Tashreef Shareef) – No Attribution Required
Safety features a safety scan, checking for updates, and restoring the taskbar and default apps to their manufacturing unit settings (so Microsoft can push its instruments on you). The Pop-up administration could possibly be helpful, however usually, it’s best to uninstall junk software program that spams pop-ups or disable notifications you don’t need from reputable apps. Community examine is a useful troubleshooter for when issues come up.
Storage duplicates some instruments like Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense, although it does mean you can simply discover giant and duplicate information, which is beneficial. Every thing on the Apps web page is duplicated from the Apps panel in Settings and the Activity Supervisor. And the Toolbox packs helpful options in a single place, however you probably have shortcuts to those you often use anyway.
In fact, it’s not a Microsoft software if it doesn’t foist the corporate’s instruments on you. The Restore panel is devoted to altering settings again to their defaults, like making Bing the default search in Edge.
In all, PC Supervisor isn’t a foul software because it provides you a collection of stable utilities multi functional place. However it feels bloated to have all the things from an app uninstaller to fast hyperlinks in Edge to a replica file checker all in the identical place. If you happen to do not thoughts clicking round a bit extra, utilizing these instruments constructed into Home windows entails much less bloat overload.
I’ll give an honorable point out to Notion, because it’s enormously expanded to incorporate all types of templates, calendar integration, and a lot extra. It desires to be an “all the things app”, which is near-synonymous with bloated. However I have never used its options sufficient to correctly clarify its bloated nature.
Once more, bloated apps usually are not essentially unhealthy. However it’s exhausting to disregard when apps bundle an unlimited quantity of options in a single package deal; the entire turns into lower than the sum of its elements when you’ll be able to’t simply discover what you’re searching for amid a sea of different fluff.
